Warner Robins residents question council members on chickens, zoning, special projects

WARNER ROBINS— After adopting the same millage rate for the fourth consecutive year and tending to other housekeeping matters, City Council heard from several citizens who had a variety of concerns ranging from cigarette butts to chickens.

Council adopted a millage rate of 9.99 with a Dec. 20 due date.

“We are lucky,” Councilwoman Carolyn Robbins said of the steady millage rate.

After approving several grants, purchasing bids and home occupation permits, five residents addressed council.

Tammy Bushnell, of Overlook Drive, addressed the council with two points.

“One is: We still want chickens.” Bushnell secondly asked that Warner Robins Citizens Lobbying for Urban Chicken Keeping (CLUCK) help form and create the next ordinance related to chickens in the city limits. She wants the next ordinance to help keep the nuisance down, keep the area sanitary and still give residents the ability to raise chickens.

Bushnell said such an ordinance would allow her to feed her family fresh eggs and meat without bothering neighbors or affecting property values.

Illean O’Rourke, who lives in west Warner Robins, was immediately next up to the podium.

O’Rourke asked what could be done about adding a second entrance to IHOP.

“It’s a disastrous area that’s really unsafe,” she said. O’Rourke said she spoke with the owner who told her his request had been denied by planning and zoning.

Rita Simmons was next to the podium. She voiced concerns at last week’s council meeting about cigarette butt litter on roadsides near her residence.

Simmons also asked when the city would begin projects such as the Veterans’ Memorial Park, visitor’s center, hotel and conference center, sports complex and amphitheater.

“I would say real soon,” Mayor Randy Toms said.

Two others spoke and raised concerns about the immigrant investment program the council discussed as part of the financing package for the hotel and conference center.

“We have made no decision on that at all,” said Toms of the program.

In other business, Warner Robins Fire Department raised $112,000 this year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The department presented a check to the association at the meeting.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 8:46 PM with the headline "Warner Robins residents question council members on chickens, zoning, special projects ."